Mental Health Assistant 2 (35 Hour)

Introduction

Do you want to make a difference while participating in a dynamic and reciprocal health care environment in the public sector?�If so, we have an excellent opportunity for you to join our hospital’s team!� THE POSITION The�State of Connecticut,�Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services�(DMHAS)�is now for a Mental Health Assistant 2 to join their team.� HIGHLIGHTS FACILITY:�Southwest Connecticut Mental Health System�(SWCMHS) LOCATION:�Greater Bridgeport Community Mental Health Center (GBCMHC) ADDRESS: 1635 Central Avenue, Bridgeport, CT� UNIT:�PICU 1 (PCN 27838, anticipated) and�PICU 2 (PCN 27828)�� SCHEDULE:�Full-Time, 35 Hours per Week, Second Shift, 72-72-80, 4:00pm - 12:30am Both positions are rotating weekends and holidays.� WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU Visit our�new�State Employee Benefits Overview�page!� Work�at a Forbes-recognized company! Connecticut is proud to be featured on both America's Best Employers by State and Best Employers for New Grads in 2024. With our dynamic job market and commitment to fostering a thriving workforce, Connecticut stands out as a top destination for both seasoned professionals and fresh graduates seeking to launch their careers. Professional growth and development opportunities A health�work/life balance�to all employees DISCOVER THE OPPPORTUNITY TO Complete the daily schedule of tasks to the team ensuring safety on the units; Provide treatment and direct care to persons with psychiatric and/or substance abuse diagnosis and acutely ill psychiatric patients by providing support, supervision, skill building and direction to client and teaches skills needed to live independently in the community; Provide a highly structured hospital level of care;� Establish therapeutic relationships and ensure a safe and therapeutic milieu within a psychiatric treatment program;� Provide continuity and coordination of patient care;� Provide recovery-oriented activity groups to promote skill building in the areas of preparing client for transition and discharge to independent community settings; Collaborate with unit staff and be responsive to patient care needs;� Respond to and deescalate patients in crisis;� Support and assist patients with transferring from bed to chair, commode, and ambulation as needed to maintain safety and prevent falls;� Work closely with a multidisciplinary team of providers, and other patient natural supports to ensure patients receive the highest quality of mental health care; and� Perform related duties as required. ABOUT US� DMHAS is a health care agency whose mission is to promote the overall health and wellness of persons with behavioral health needs through an integrated network of holistic, comprehensive, effective, and efficient services and supports that foster dignity, respect, and self-sufficiency in those we serve.� SWCMHS strives to provide high quality, compassionate and culturally competent mental health and substance abuse services to adults with behavioral health disorders who are indigent.� Psychiatric Intensive Care Units (PICU) 42 beds: The PICU 1 and PICU 2 each provide 21 beds for residents of Connecticut. Admissions to the psychiatric units are coordinated through a statewide Utilization Management process coordinated by the Office of the Commissioner. Both locked units are responsible for providing treatment for severely and acutely ill psychiatric patients who require a safe, supportive, highly structured hospital level of care. The treatment goals are developed in which the individual can be: stabilized, evaluated, rehabilitated, helped to accept the need for ongoing treatment, and assisted in regaining a level of functioning that will allow the person to be treated in a less restrictive environment or to return to community-based living. PICU treatment staff work closely with community providers to ensure that a smooth transition to the community exists. PICU 1 provides assessment and stabilization, with the emphasis on community reentry. PICU 2, the extended care unit, focuses on rehabilitation with an emphasis on intense skills building needed for community reintegration. PLEASE NOTE A comprehensive�medical examination, including a drug screening, will be required of all applicants upon a conditional offer of employment. All state employees must adhere to�Connecticut's Policy for a Drug Free Workplace.�

Selection Plan

FOR ASSISTANCE IN APPLYING:� Check out our�Applicant Tips on How to Apply! Need more resources? Visit our�Applicant Reference Library�for additional support throughout the recruitment process.� BEFORE YOU APPLY:� Meet Minimum Qualifications:�Ensure you meet the Minimum Qualifications listed on the job opening by the job closing date. You must specify your qualifications on your application. The minimum experience and training requirements listed must be met by the close date on the job opening, unless otherwise specified. � Educational Credits:�List your earned credits and degrees from accredited institutions accurately on your application. To receive educational credits towards qualification, the institution must be accredited. If the institution of higher learning is located outside of the U.S., you are responsible for providing documentation from a recognized USA accrediting service which specializes in determining foreign education equivalencies to the contact listed below. Resume Policy:�Per�Public Act 21-69, resumes are not accepted during the initial application process. As the recruitment process progresses, candidates may be required to submit additional documentation to support their qualification(s) for this position. This documentation may include: a cover letter, resume, transcripts, diplomas, performance reviews, attendance records, supervisory references, licensure, etc., at the request and discretion of the hiring agency.� Preferred Shift/Location:�Select all location(s) and shift(s) you are willing to work on your application. Failure to do so may result in not being considered for vacancies in that specific location or shift.� Timely Submission:�All application materials must be received by the job posting deadline. You will be unable to make revisions once you officially submit your application to the State. �Late submissions are rarely accepted, with exceptions only for documented events that incapacitate individuals during the entire duration of the job posting. Request exceptions by emailing�DAS.SHRM@ct.gov.� Salary Calculations: For current state employees, salary calculations are not necessarily comparable from one of the three branches of state government (i.e., Executive, Legislative, Judicial) to the other.� Note: The�only way�to apply to this posting is via the ‘Apply’ or ‘Apply Online’ buttons on the official State of Connecticut Online Employment Center job posting. AFTER YOU APPLY:� Referral Questions:�This posting may require completion of additional Referral Questions (RQs), which must be completed by the questionnaire’s expiration date. If requested, RQs can be accessed via an email sent to you after the job close date or by visiting your JobAps Personal Status Board (Certification Questionnaires section).��� Prepare For An Interview:�Interviews are limited to those whose experience and training are most aligned with the role. To prepare, review this helpful�Interview Preparation Guide�to make the best impression!� Stay connected! Log in daily to your JobAps Personal Status Board to track your status and check email (including spam/junk folders) for updates and tasks.�� The immediate vacancy is listed above, however, applications to this recruitment may be used for future vacancies in this job class.�� Note: This position will be filled in accordance with contractual language, reemployment, SEBAC, transfer, promotion and merit employment rules. Candidates who are offered and accept a position with the State of Connecticut are bound by the State Code of Ethics for Public Officials and State employees, available at�www.ct.gov/ethics. QUESTIONS? WE’RE HERE TO HELP:� Due to high volume, we are unable to confirm receipt or provide status updates directly. For recruitment updates, please check your Personal Status Board and review our Frequently Asked Questions. If you have additional questions about the recruitment process, reach out to Jensine Tran at�Jensine.Tran@ct.gov.� Join the State of Connecticut and take your next career step with confidence!

PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

In a Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services hospital, community behavioral health facility or program this class is accountable for leading Mental Health Assistants in the assessment, planning and implementation of paraprofessional nursing, clinical and/or rehabilitative interventions designed to support client short and/or long-term needs. In outpatient or community programs this class is accountable for independently performing the full range of paraprofessional functions in case management and crisis intervention services.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

Participates in assigned nursing, clinical and/or rehabilitative interventions to meet client short and long-term needs;� Advocates for services or resources that meet client needs and preferences;� Observes and records client behavior;� Prepares incident and accident reports;� Monitors client progress;� Assists client with decision making and problem solving;� Assists client in learning and utilizing daily living skills, budgeting, medication monitoring and/or community adaptation skills;� Acts as a role model and instructs staff in crisis intervention techniques;� Develops goal-directed relationships with individuals and/or groups;� Identifies and facilitates use of appropriate support networks;� Investigates alternative placement for client;� Participates in education and training activities to further skill development;� Participates in admission and discharge planning activities;� Protects civil rights of client;� Maintains a safe and healthy environment;� May coordinate and direct programs and activities for a group of clients;� Performs related duties as required. Community and/or Outpatient Programs:� Functions as a team member of a case management or crisis intervention team;� Participates in assessment, crisis intervention and monitoring of clients within facility or community at large (i.e., emergency rooms, jails, homeless shelters, outpatient programs, etc.);� Provides individual, group and/or family supportive treatment under appropriate supervision;� Identifies and reinforces client skills, strengths, resources and preferences;� Applies accepted standards of nursing care to clients;� Participates in community outreach programs that include crisis intervention and family contact in home settings;� Identifies and accesses a wide range of community resources;� Participates as a liaison to community agencies;� Makes arrangements for outpatient appointments;� Consults with care givers in other facilities regarding crisis intervention techniques;� Manages client behaviors through verbal communication when necessary;� May problem solve with clients in community. Inpatient Ward or Unit:� Leads, trains and participates in training and development of Mental Health Assistants and other assigned employees;� Participates in developing and maintaining a therapeutic milieu;� Coordinates maintenance of a safe and healthy living environment;� Participates in meeting psychological and physical needs of client;� Identifies client strengths and assists in development of treatment plans;� Orients new client to ward or unit;� Participates in team nursing activities and development of nursing care and rehabilitation programs;� May supervise self-administration of oral medications;� May assist with data collection.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

Considerable knowledge of psychiatric rehabilitation and/or case management principles, practices and procedures;� acceptable standards of nursing care;� Knowledge of dynamics of human behavior;� hygiene and sanitation;� safety and fire procedures and security measures;� community resources and programs;� Considerable interpersonal skills;� oral and written communication skills;� counseling skills;� Observation skills;� Ability to lead staff;� supervise client activity;� interpret and implement agency and/or facility policies and procedures;� apply principles of therapeutic counseling under supervision;� develop curricula and instruct groups;� organize;� understand, interpret and carry out oral and written instructions.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

Three (3) years of experience at the level of a Mental Health Assistant 1.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SUBSTITUTIONS ALLOWED

College training in mental health technology, a behavioral science, social work, rehabilitation therapy or its equivalent may be substituted for the General Experience on the basis of fifteen (15) semester hours equalling one-half (1/2) year of experience to a maximum of two (2) years. Completion of a mental health trainee certificate program may be substituted for one-half (1/2) year of the General Experience.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Experience working in an inpatient or outpatient clinical setting Experience working on a multi-disciplinary team/program Experience in therapeutic communication and verbal de-escalation techniques to clients/patients Experience providing assistance with activities of daily living in an inpatient setting Experience observing and recording client/patient behavior in an inpatient setting and preparing pertinent reports Experience with WORD and EXCEL computer software Experience using an Electronic Medical Record Ability to transport clients

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

Incumbents in this class may be required to be bilingual or fluent in American Sign Language. Incumbents in this class may be required to possess and retain a valid Motor Vehicle Operator's license. Incumbents in this class may be required to travel.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Incumbents in this class may be required to lift and restrain clients and may have significant exposure to infectious and/or communicable diseases, strongly disagreeable conditions and risk of injury.

Conclusion

AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER The State of Connecticut is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and strongly encourages the applications of women, minorities, and persons with disabilities.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

As defined by Sec. 5-196 of the Connecticut General Statutes, a job class is a position or group of positions that share general characteristics and are categorized under a single title for administrative purposes. As such, a job class is not meant to be all-inclusive of every task and/or responsibility.

Salary : $55,513 - $74,208